Ahmed Jaha, a member of the House of Representatives from Borno State, has called upon the Federal Government to consider the recruitment of military mercenaries as a strategic measure to address the pressing issue.
Jaha’s proposal, made during a parliamentary session, highlighted the need for decisive action in combating the nation’s security woes. He specifically referenced the successful utilization of mercenaries during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, suggesting that similar measures could yield positive results in the present circumstances.
During the session, which was convened following a motion presented by Ginger Onwusibe concerning recent security incidents, Jaha reiterated the urgency of the situation. He stated the failure of existing security agencies to adequately protect Nigerian citizens and emphasized the necessity of exploring alternative approaches to ensure national security.
“We can bring in mercenaries. It was attempted during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, they were about to finish Boko Haram,” Jaha said “The new president (Muhammadu Buhari) was convinced and he moved them out of the country, and the insecurity keeps on escalating to other parts of the country.”
Jaha’s advocacy for the recruitment of mercenaries comes amidst growing concerns over the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups, including Boko Haram, in various regions of Nigeria. He highlighted the staggering allocation of funds—amounting to over N19 trillion—to security-related agencies from 2015 to 2023, juxtaposed against the continued proliferation of insecurity nationwide.
In response to Jaha’s appeal, the House of Representatives unanimously supported a call for the Nigerian Navy to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into a recent security incident involving the alleged killing of a civil servant by naval officers. Additionally, the House urged the Nigerian Navy to implement preventive measures to deter future instances of abuse within the institution.
